special diets and swaps

T-Rex Chefs Enjoy as is or add some protein! Eggs, chicken, or shrimp stir fried in sweet chili sauce ROCK. I also especially love making my 15-Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp and serving it atop a bed of quinoa fried rice. SO ridiculously good!

Instructions

Rinse a cup of quinoa in a mesh sieve/strainer, drain, and allow to dry on a few sheets of paper towels.

Drying time will vary, I usually rinse, strain, and just walk away.

Once dry, toss quinoa into a pot and allow it to toast on medium heat for just a minute or so, while stirring. You don't quite want to brown it, just a light toasting.

Next add 1.5 cups of water [or chicken/veggie broth!] to your quinoa and bring to a boil.

Once the bubbles start flying, reduce to low, cover, and simmer for approximately 12 minutes. Remove lid, fluff with a fork, and set aside. If it's still a little liquid-y let it simmer for another minute or so until it's nice and fluffy.

While you're waiting for the quinoa to simmer to fluffy perfection, prep your veggies!

I used frozen peas, fresh baby carrots, and fresh broccoli since it's what I had on hand. Any combo of veggies, frozen or fresh will work!

To get them all ready for frying, I blanched (boiled) chopped broccoli florets, diced carrots, and whole peas in about an inch of water in a small frying pan.

Cook the veggies until tender and drain.

Add your butter/oil and garlic into the skillet with the veggies and stir frequently.

By now the quinoa should be ready... toss it into the skillet with the veggies along with your soy sauce.

If you're adding egg, crack one over the side of the skillet while it's still hot and fry it up into your yummy quinoa fried rice.

Season to taste and pan fry for a few more minutes.

Serve hot with a side of soy sauce an sweet chili sauce if you have it!

Recipe Notes

Love eggs in your fried rice? Crack one over the skillet and toss a little extra protein into the mix!

You'll also need a teeny bit of fat for frying: a splash of olive oil, a little scoop of coconut oil or even a tiny slice of butter - totally up to you! Also, a drizzle of sweet chili sauce may or may not rock on top of this. (love it so!)

Nutrition facts below are an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. Adjust as needed.

Nutrition Facts

Vegetarian Quinoa Fried Rice

Amount Per Serving

Calories 193Calories from Fat 18

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 2g3%

Sodium 464mg19%

Potassium 335mg10%

Total Carbohydrates 35g12%

Dietary Fiber 4g16%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin A50%

Vitamin C6.3%

Calcium3.4%

Iron13.5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

I’m kicking myself for not making the switch from rice to quinoa sooner.

Seriously, I may never go back. It was super light and fluffy and had all the amazing flavor of fried rice but with more veggies and way less fat than what the restaurants are offering up.

So. Flipping. Tasty.

crazy for quinoa?

If you get a chance to try this yummy vegetarian quinoa fried rice, let me know! Leave some love in the comment form below or tag your photos with @peasandcrayons on Instagram so I can happy dance over your creation!

Sweet Potato Sarah

Wowee that looks so good! I’m guilty of getting fried rice from the takeaway about once a month but this would be a much healthier (and probably tastier!) way to satisfy my cravings 😀Can’t wait to try it out!

Sam

That’s exactly how I make my stir fry. I put quinoa in the rice cooker and veggies in the steam basket so they all cook at the same time. Fry up some chicken or fish or steak that has been marinating in soy sauce. Throw it all together and top with a little Sriacha sauce. Fabulous.

Laurita .

I’ve never had quinoa! What kinda texture/flavor is it?? Also- your picture looks beautiful! I want your camera please! I asked for one for my birthday, but seeing as how that is next week…I think I may be waiting till Christmas, boo

I find rice to be quite bland and uninspired texturally, where as quinoa is so much more versatile in my opinion and also has that slight nuttiness whereby you don’t have to add a lot of extra flavouring to it.

Veganaphrodite

sarah_1986

Mmm fried rice is pure comfort food, making this HEALTHY comfort food. Love it! Simple recipes that call for “I have it on hand” ingredients are the best! I want to try making this with coconut oil and sprinking a dash of coconut on top. 🙂

heee – I remember when I first made a fried “rice” with quinoa I kinda did a HMM with the name too. only for a second, though, because YEOM it is SO good. I make mine with the egg… and no peas. (sorry!).

Heather

O.C.

Wow this looks awesome! Such a healthy fresh twist on traditional fried rice and it looks a million times better than any MSG-loaded dish you’d get at a Chinese restaurant. I’m definitely making this next time a fried rice craving strikes 🙂http://www.sunshinevegan.wordpress.com

Consider me your guide to all things veggie! It'll be fun, painless, and pretty darn delicious as I teach you to plan your meals around fresh, seasonal produce with a little
help from healthy freezer and pantry staples.

What's For Dinner?

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